Biomorphia

Biomorphia is a visual exploration of land, cycles, repetition, and motifs through traditional Islamic geometry and biomorphic art. Each design is carefully constructed by hand using a pencil, ruler, and compass based on patterns from monuments across the Islamic world, using methods taught by artists Esra Hamal and Samira Mian. Drawings are then tessellated to repeat the pattern. Designs have been painted using earth pigments and natural inks created by the artist and mica-based gold. The focus on a slow, repetitive, and laborious practice is a way to resist the urgency and overwhelming nature of production and consumption today. Inspired by the writings of Bayo Akomalafe about slowing down in urgent times as a way to heal the rift created by a commodified world, the artist uses simple materials and tools (rocks, plants, mortar, pestle, compass, handmade paper) to create intricacy and complexity. The artist morphs materials into visual poetry, while the patterns morph the artist’s way of thinking and being by becoming a moving meditation and contemplation.

Thank you to the Didi Creative Fund for supporting the development of this body of work.